Matsumoto -The Black Crow Castle Town
After a busy day yesterday I was happy to get a bit of sleep this morning before being picked up by taxi and heading back to Matsumoto where I had a bit more time to explore the castle and Matsumoto City Museum of Art. Matsumoto lies in the middle of Nagano prefecture at the foot of the Japanese Alps where the 1998 Winter Olympics were held. Matsumoto is called the "Black Crow Castle Town" because its most prominent landmark, Matsumoto Castle, has a striking black exterior, which resembles the color of a crow, earning it the nickname "Crow Castle". From Tokyo it is a 2.5 hour direct train ride from Shinjuku station on the JR Azusa Limited Express. The city is compact and can be explored on foot or bicycles can be used for free from multiple locations around the city.
Matsumoto Castle, just a 15 minute walk from the station, is one of five castles designated as ‘National Treasures of Japan’ and the oldest five-tiered, six-story castle tower remaining in Japan. Construction began in 1592. In the spring the castle is a popular cherry blossom spot with hundreds of Somei Yoshino cherry trees along the outer castle moat.
Matsumoto also has a number of museums worth visiting including the Matsumoto City of Art which is known for its permanent collection of works by Yayoi Kusama, the “dot lady.” Built in 2002 the museum also houses other contemporary artists from Matsumoto or whose works have been inspired by the city. If you are looking for more traditional fare, the Japan Ukiyo-e (Woodblock) Museum holds the largest collection of ukiyo-e, paintings, screens and old books in the world. There is also the fascinating Matsumoto Timepiece Museum which houses a collection of over 300 timepieces, many of which are still running. The oldest dates from the 1400s.
Matsumoto is also known for the Nakamachi-Dori, a former merchant district lined with white warehouses called kura. Today these house craft shops, restaurants, breweries and cafes. Running parallel to Nakamachi across the river lies "Frog Street", a pedestrian-only lane of shops and cafes housed in small, traditional-style buildings. Both are just a short 15 minute walk from the station.